Automation License Manager V6.

0 SP8,
32-bit and 64-bit Edition
The information in this readme is more up to date than information in other
documents. Please read these notes carefully because they contain important
information about the installation use of the product.
Siemens provides copy protection to some of its software. Protected programs can
only be run when license keys or authorizations are available for the program or
software package.

Table of Contents
1 What's new in Automation License Manager?
1.1 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP8
1.2 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP7
1.3 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP6
1.4 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP3
1.5 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP2
2 Automation License Manager
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Scope of Delivery
2.3 Hardware Requirements
2.4 Software Requirements
2.5 Additional Information
3 How to Transfer License Keys
3.1 Drag and Drop
3.2 Connect Computer
4 Upgrade
4.1 Upgrade Requirements
4.2 License Upgrade
5 Installation and Removal
5.1 How to Install the Automation License Manager
5.2 How to Remove the Automation License Manager
6 Additional Notes
6.1 Optimizing Hard Disks
6.2 Corrupt License Keys
6.3 Special Case: SIMATIC Logon Access Protection
6.4 Automation License Manager as License Key Server
6.5 Changing Compatibility Mode
6.6 Increased Security through Connection Settings
6.7 Rental/Subscription License Keys and Changing the System Clock
7 Known Limitations
7.1 Canceling the License Key Transfer
1 What's new in Automation License Manager?
 The Automation License Manager is a product by SIEMENS AG, Industry
Automation division. It is used to manage license keys.
 The Automation License Manager is delivered both as a 32-bit and 64-bit edition
in a common setup. The currently supported operating systems are listed in
paragraph 2.4.
 You will find the changes to the individual versions of the Automation License
Manager listed below.

1.1 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP8

 The Automation License Manager has been additionally released for the
following operating systems:
 Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB 64bit 
 Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC 64bit
 Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition 64bit,
 Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition 64bit
 Windows Server 2019 Standard Edition 64bit
 Windows Server 2019 Datacenter Edition 64bit

1.2 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP7

 The Management View of the Automation License Manager has been changed.
The following subviews and the dropdown box for selecting the views have been
removed:
 Installed software
 Missing license keys
 Licensed software
 Now the default and only option is ‘License keys’.


1.3 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP6

 A new license type, "Subscription License", is available for single as well as
floating license keys. Use of the software is limited to the number of days specified in
the Certificate of License (COL). The term for this type of license starts with the first
use of the software with this license type, regardless as to whether you are
 continuing to use the software afterward or not. The license is deactivated after the
specified number of days and must be purchased again or converted into a full
license.
 The shortcut menu "Flat view" that was introduced in V6.0 SP3 can also be used
for remote connections.
 The 64-bit edition of the Automation License Manager supports the Microsoft
Windows Server 2019 operating system.
 Online help, note in the “General" tab topic in the "Settings" dialog: The check
boxes marked with "*" are also deactivated when the check box "Allow remote
connections" in the "Connections" tab is not activated.

1.4 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP3

 There is a new shortcut menu with which you can view all licenses on your
computer, regardless of the actual physical storage location of these licenses.
 The display is only for your PC (own and connected computer).
 Call the shortcut menu via "My Computer" > "Flat View".

1.5 Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP2

 Change of standard behavior for remote connections.
The standard behavior has been changed in so far as no remote connections are
permitted after the installation.
 If you would like to use remote connections, you must explicitly permit these in
the connection settings.

2 Automation License Manager

2.1 Introduction
The Automation License Manager is a product of SIEMENS AG Industry Automation
Group. It is used to manage license keys.

2.2 Scope of Delivery

The Automation License Manager is supplied within the framework of software
products by the Siemens AG.
License keys are provided with the respective software product on specially created
data storage media. You have the option to purchase license keys from the
SIEMENS AG as download in the Internet.

2.3 Hardware Requirements

You will need approximately 30 MB of space on your hard disk for the installation of
the files. You will need additional space for the log database.

2.4 Software Requirements

The 32-bit version of the Automation License Manager is a program which has been
released for the following operating systems:
 MS Windows Server 2008 R2
 MS Windows Server 2012 R2
 MS Windows Server 2016
 MS Windows 7
 MS Windows 8.1
 MS Windows 10

The 64-bit version of the Automation License Manager has been released for the
following operating systems:
 MS Windows Server 2008 R2
 MS Windows Server 2012 R2
 MS Windows Server 2016
 Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition
  Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition
 MS Windows Server 2019
 Windows Server 2019 Standard Edition
 Windows Server 2019 Datacenter Edition
 MS Windows 7
 MS Windows 8.1
 MS Windows 10
 Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB
 Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC

Note
Operating system upgrades are not supported.

2.5 Additional Information

You can search for floating license keys throughout your network using the
Automation License Manager. Refer to the supplied online help for more detailed
information about the features of the Automation License Manager.
3 How to Transfer License Keys
Use the Automation License Manager functions to transfer license keys that:
 are not transferred during the setup of a product (for example, STEP 7),
 belong to licenses bought at a later time.

Note
The easiest way to transfer the license keys is by drag and drop.

3.1 Drag and Drop

1. Select the view via the menu command View > Management.
2. Open the storage location on the local or network computer to which you wish to
transfer the license keys.
3. Open the storage location on the local or network computer where you wish to
remove the license keys.
4. Select the license keys and drag them to the folder where you wish to save the
license keys while keeping the left mouse button pressed.
Result: The license keys are transferred.

3.2 Connect Computer

With the Automation License Manager, you can only connect computers on the
network on which the Automation License Manager is also installed. You do this with
a right-click on "My Computer" in the navigation area and by selecting "Connect
Computer" in the shortcut menu. A dialog is displayed, in which you can:
 Specify the name of the computer you want to connect or
 Browse the network for computers.
In the "Display Name" dialog box, enter the name under which the computer is to be
displayed. Then click on "OK". The computer is now connected.

Note
We highly recommend that you install the same version of the Automation License Manager
on all computers involved.
4 Upgrade
Note
 Please note that authorizations are no longer supported on 64-bit operating systems.

4.1 Upgrade Requirements

Earlier License Key → New License Key

You require:
 the CoL (Certificate of License) and the license key of the earlier version
 the CoL (Certificate of License) and the upgrade license key of the target version

4.2 License Upgrade

The following steps show you how to upgrade a license key.
Proceed as follows:
5. Select the view via the menu command View > Management.
6. Transfer the License Keys of the previous version and the Upgrade License Keys
to the hard disk on which the upgrade is to be performed.
7. In the navigation area, select the location of the license key for which the upgrade
is to be performed.
8. Execute the menu command "License Key > Upgrade".
Result: The upgrade is executed.
5 Installation and Removal

5.1 How to Install the Automation License Manager

The Automation License Manager is installed with a user-guided setup program.

Note
Close all other programs before you start the setup.

5.2 How to Remove the Automation License Manager

The removal of the Automation License Managers must conform to the standard
Windows routine for removing programs via Control Panel.
6 Additional Notes

6.1 Optimizing Hard Disks

A specially marked cluster is created on the target drive when you install a license
key. Some disk utilities show this cluster as "bad." Do not attempt to recover this
cluster.
If you use an optimization program that is capable of moving fixed blocks, you
should first transfer the license keys from the hard disk to the license key diskette
before using this option.
If a backup of your hard disk contains copies of license keys, there is the danger that
restoring the disk from a backup will overwrite the currently valid license keys and
destroy them. Due to this danger, we strongly recommend removing all license keys
before performing the backup or explicitly exempting them from the backup.
Do not forget to remove the license keys before formatting, compressing or restoring
your hard disk or installing a new operating system.

6.2 Corrupt License Keys

You cannot remove corrupt license keys from the Automation License Manager.
Please contact the Hotline when this occurs. They can usually help you to recover
such license keys.
You can find support in the Internet at http://support.automation.siemens.com

6.3 Special Case: SIMATIC Logon Access Protection

An installation of SIMATIC Logon is required for enabling the SIMATIC Logon access
protection. Only under this condition will the corresponding menu be displayed (File
> Settings > General > Activate SIMATIC Logon access protection).
If this access protection has already been activated, uninstalling SIMATIC Logon will
prevent access to any of the license keys.

Note
SIMATIC Logon access protection must be deactivated before you uninstall SIMATIC
Logon.
6.4 Automation License Manager as License Key Server
You will have to enter one of the following exceptions in the Windows firewall:
 Either the port (default = 4410) you have specified or
 The Automation License Manager service (almsrvx.exe).
You need administrator rights to make these settings.

Note
You can only use the Automation License Manager as License Key server, if incoming
remote connections are permitted (see paragraph 6.6).

6.5 Changing Compatibility Mode

You will have to restart the Automation License Manager with the corresponding
dialog if you switch to compatibility mode.
Due to possible incompatibility issues concerning Windows networks organized in
workgroups, we recommend that you update older Automation License Manager
versions (<V4.0) to the latest version.

Note
You will have to explicitly activate compatibility mode and you can only use it, if incoming
remote connections are permitted (see paragraph 6.6).

6.6 Increased Security through Connection Settings

You can configure the Automation License Manager so that incoming remote
connections from other Automation License Manager installations are not possible.
You configure this setting using the menu command "File>Settings>Connection".

Note
You will have to restart the Automation License Manager service if you change this option.
Also see paragraph 6.4.
6.7 Rental/Subscription License Keys and Changing the
System Clock
Changing the system clock can have an effect on the rental and subscription license
keys. Putting the system time back can damage the rental and subscription license
keys. Putting the system time forward can reduce the time remaining.

Note
Make sure that time synchronization via network (NTP service) is executed before you
assign the rental license keys.
7 Known Limitations

7.1 Canceling the License Key Transfer

When license keys are transferred between computers with different versions of the
Automation License Manager, an error message is sometimes displayed and the
transfer is canceled.
Remedy:
Install the same version of the Automation License Manager on all computers
involved.